Contra dance

Great Bear Trio, led by brothers Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand with caller Sarah VanNorstrand, will present a New England style contra dance at the Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room, Jan. 29, 8-11 p.m. The VanNorstrands draw heavily on Celtic and Appalachian fiddling traditions for their melodies. All dances taught. Beginners welcome. No partner needed. Casual dress. Admission: $2 students; $5 general.

Guitar lessons

Group folk guitar lessons by Phil Shapiro start Jan. 31 in the International Lounge of Willard Straight Hall. Eight one-hour lessons, Monday evenings. Registration ($60) at the first lesson. Bring a guitar. Beginners at 7 p.m., for those with little or no experience; intermediates at 8 p.m., for players with some experience and knowledge of basic chords who want to learn finger-picking or break out of repetitious patterns. Information: Call Shapiro at 844-4535, or e-mail at pds10@cornell.edu.

Faculty and films

Cornell Cinema's Federico Fellini film series begins with Academy Award-nominated "I Vitelloni" (1953) Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 1 at 9:30 p.m. The film follows the adventures of five best friends in their 20s and will be introduced Jan. 31 by Karen Pinkus, professor in Romance studies. Another series, on immigration investigations, will begin with the Ithaca premiere of "9500 Liberty" (2009), Feb. 2 at 7 p.m., introduced by Maria Cristina Garcia, professor in Latino studies. The film explores the effects of a 2007 Virginia county policy requiring police officers to question suspected undocumented immigrants. Professor Patty Keller, Romance studies, will introduce a new print, "L'Age D'Or" (1930), Feb. 3 at 7:15 p.m. Considered the high point of cinematic surrealism, this Luis Bunuel classic was co-written with Salvador Dali. All shows at Willard Straight Theatre; ticket prices and information: http://cinema.cornell.edu.

Ithacan filmmaker

Filmmaker Vincent Grenier will present a selection of pieces from his experimental films and videos Feb. 1 at 7 p.m., Willard Straight Theatre. Works include "Burning Bush" (2010), which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. Information: http://cinema.cornell.edu.

Schumann, Sierra and piano

Roberto Sierra, professor of composition in the Department of Music, will present the Annual Invitational Lecture of the Society for the Humanities, Feb. 2 at 4:30 p.m., Barnes Auditorium. With pianists Miri Yampolsky and Xak Bjerken, Sierra will provide an analytical view and performance of Robert Schumann. A reception will follow in the A.D. White House. The event is free and open to the public.

Salsa classes

Salsa classes will be held Wednesdays at the Big Red Barn, beginning Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m. and 7:55 p.m., with guided practice at 7:30 p.m. and 8:55 p.m., respectively. Instructors Michael Luis Ristorucci and Chelsea Rose. All welcome. Information and costs: http://www.palantetroupe.org/salsa classes.

Blood drive

The Cornell lacrosse team and the Dream Factory of Central New York will hold their sixth annual blood drive with the American Red Cross, Feb. 3, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., G10 Biotechnology Building. Double red cell donation is being accepted (O-, O+, A-, B-). Cookies provided. Information or to schedule an appointment, contact Suzanne at 255-1269, or e-mail centralnewyork@dreamfactoryinc.org.

Soup and Hope

Garden-based learning educator Marcia Eames-Sheavly, senior extension associate in the horticulture department, will talk about finding hope in the midst of a busy life, Feb. 3 at noon, Sage Chapel as part of the 2011 Soup and Hope series. Soup and bread provided by Cornell Dining. Free and open to all.

Art for Lunch

Curator Nancy Green will discuss the exhibition "Splendor of Dynamic Structure: Celebrating 75 Years of the American Abstract Artists," Feb. 3 at noon, Johnson Museum. Free and open to the public. Information: http://museum.cornell.edu.

Marcellus Shale science

Robert Kleinberg, a physicist with Schlumberger, a leading geophysical exploration company, will present "The Marcellus Shale: Science and Technology," Feb. 3 at 4:30 p.m.,120 Physical Science Building. This lecture is part of the 2010-11 Moses Passer Lecture Series. Information: http://www.chem.cornell.edu.

North star

Associate professor and poet Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon, artist Emilie Stark-Menneg and musicians Leah Houghtaling and Ruthmar Boyer will present "BOP: The North Star," a multimedia performance of film, poetry and music, Feb. 3 at 5:15 p.m., Johnson Museum. The performance examines "blackness, whiteness and femininity" in art. A discussion will follow. Free and open to the public. Information: http://museum.cornell.edu.

Bird art

An opening reception of the works of artist Charley Harper will be held Feb. 3 at 5-7 p.m., at the Laboratory of Ornithology. Free and open to the public. Information: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=1579 or call 800-843-2473.

Violinist Leonidas Kavakos

The Cornell Concert Series presents Leonidas Kavakos, violin, with Enrico Pace, piano, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m., Bailey Hall. An artist highly regarded for his musicianship and the integrity and virtuosity of his playing, Kavakos performs regularly with the world's greatest orchestras and concert venues. His program focuses on works by Beethoven and Prokofiev. Reserved seating: general public $22-32; students $16 any section. Tickets: http://baileytickets.universitytickets.com.

Computers and privacy

Daniel J. Solove, George Washington University Law School, will present two lectures and a workshop, Feb. 3 and 4, on the Internet, reputation and privacy:

Information and live streams: http://www.ucpl.cornell.edu (Feb. 4 talks will be streamed to Cornell Ithaca campus IP addresses only).